Controlling a rate of prefetching based on bus bandwidth

ABSTRACT

Controlling a rate of prefetching based on bus bandwidth. A determination is made as to whether a rate of prefetching data from memory into a cache is to be changed. This determination is based on bus utilization. Based on determining that the rate is to be changed, the rate of prefetching is changed.

BACKGROUND

One or more aspects relate, in general, to processing within a computingenvironment, and in particular, to facilitating such processing.

Processing within computing environments is enhanced by using a memoryhierarchy to store and retrieve data. Typically, a memory hierarchyincludes main memory (also referred to as memory) and a cache hierarchy.The cache hierarchy includes multiple levels of data caches, such as,for instance, one or more private level caches (L1, L2) and at least onehigher level shared cache (e.g., L3, L4).

Applications operating on large amounts of in-memory data typicallywaste much of their time waiting for data to be transferred from memory,through the cache hierarchy, to the L1 data cache before it can beprocessed. That is, when there is a request for data, an attempt is madeto retrieve the data from the cache. If the data is not in the cache(i.e., a cache miss), it is retrieved from memory. To minimize thistime, and to improve performance, prefetching of data from memory intothe L1 cache is employed.

Aggressive prefetching can improve performance by avoiding cache misspenalties when an application eventually needs the data. The prefetcherbrings data into the cache ahead of time so that no or less penalty isincurred upon actual data usage by the processor. On the other hand,prefetching too aggressively can cause increased bus utilization, whichleads to performance degradation, in particular in multiprocessor,multi-chip and multi-node systems.

SUMMARY

Shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantages areprovided through the provision of a computer program product forfacilitating processing within a computing environment. The computerprogram product includes a storage medium readable by a processingcircuit and storing instructions for performing a method. The methodincludes, for instance, determining whether a rate of prefetching ofdata from memory into a cache is to be changed, in which the determiningis based on bus utilization. Based on determining that the rate is to bechanged, the rate of prefetching is changed. By changing the rate ofprefetching based on bus utilization, processing is facilitated andperformance may be improved by controlling bus bandwidth.

The changing the rate of prefetching includes, for instance, slowing therate of prefetching or increasing the rate of prefetching. As anotherexample, the changing the rate of prefetching includes receiving aprefetch request at a cache hierarchy having a plurality of levels ofcache, and blocking the prefetch request from being sent to one or morelevels of cache of the plurality of levels of cache. The blockingincludes, for instance, blocking the prefetch request from being sentfrom a private level cache to a shared level cache of the plurality oflevels of cache.

In one example, the determining whether the rate of prefetching is to bechanged includes obtaining an indication of a selected bus used in theprefetching of data to be monitored, and monitoring utilization of theselected bus. Based on the monitoring, a determination is made as towhether the rate of prefetching is to be changed. As an example, theselected bus is a bus determined to be most utilized in the prefetch ofdata for a particular request.

In a further example, the monitoring is performed for a selected numberof prefetch requests. Yet further, in one embodiment, the monitoringincludes obtaining information relating to utilization. The informationincludes, for example, an indication of bus utilization for prefetchrequests and/or an indication of bus utilization for demand requests.

Computer-implemented methods and systems relating to one or more aspectsare also described and claimed herein. Further, services relating to oneor more aspects are also described and may be claimed herein.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesdescribed herein. Other embodiments and aspects are described in detailherein and are considered a part of the claimed aspects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more aspects are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimedas examples in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. Theforegoing and objects, features, and advantages of one or more aspectsare apparent from the following detailed description taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A depicts one example of a computing environment to incorporateand use one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 1B depicts further details of a drawer of FIG. 1A, in accordancewith an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts one example of a memory hierarchy of a drawer of FIG. 1A,in accordance with an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts further details of a computing environment to incorporateand use one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of processing associated with determiningthe most utilized bus of a prefetch request and returning thatinformation to a processor, in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of processing associated with controllinga rate of prefetching, in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIGS. 6A-6B depict one embodiment of facilitating processing within acomputing environment, in accordance with an aspect of the presentinvention;

FIG. 7A depicts another example of a computing environment toincorporate and use one or more aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 7B depicts further details of the memory of FIG. 7A;

FIG. 8 depicts one embodiment of a cloud computing environment; and

FIG. 9 depicts one example of abstraction model layers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In accordance with one or more aspects, a capability is provided tocontrol prefetching of data from memory into a selected cache. Forinstance, a capability is provided to control the rate of prefetching(or how aggressively prefetching is performed) based on monitoredinformation, such as available bus bandwidth.

One example of a computing environment to incorporate and use one ormore aspects of the present invention is described with reference toFIG. 1A. In one example, a computing environment 100 is based on thez/Architecture, offered by International Business Machines Corporation,Armonk, N.Y. One embodiment of the z/Architecture is described in“z/Architecture Principles of Operation,” IBM Publication No.SA22-7832-10, March 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Z/ARCHITECTURE is a registered trademark ofInternational Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA.

In another example, the computing environment may be based on the PowerArchitecture, offered by International Business Machines Corporation,Armonk, N.Y. One embodiment of the Power Architecture is described in“Power ISA™ Version 2.07B,” International Business Machines Corporation,Apr. 9, 2015, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety. POWER ARCHITECTURE is a registered trademark of InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation, Armonk, N.Y., USA.

The computing environment may also be based on other architectures,including, but not limited to, the Intel x86 architectures. Otherexamples also exist.

In one example, computing environment 100 includes a plurality ofdrawers 102. A drawer includes one or more central processing (CP)clusters 104 (also referred to as nodes) and a system controller (SC)106 (e.g., SC chip). The system controller interconnects drawers 102,and may be separate from and/or part of one or more of the CP clusters.Further details regarding drawer 102 are described with reference toFIG. 1B.

As shown, in one example, drawer 102 includes a plurality of (e.g., 2)central processing clusters 104. A central processing cluster 104includes a plurality of central processor chips 110, each of which iscoupled to system controller 106. A central processor chip 110 includesone or more cores 120 (also referred to as processors or centralprocessing units (CPUs)), such as, e.g., eight cores per chip. Moreover,in one example, central processor chip 110 is coupled to, e.g., one ormore dual in-line memory modules (DIMMs) 122 providing memory for use byCP cluster 104.

CP cluster 104 uses main memory, as well as memory caches, to facilitateprocessing. One example of a memory hierarchy employed by CP cluster 104is described with reference to FIG. 2. In one example, a memoryhierarchy 200, includes a main memory 202; a shared L4 cache 204; one ormore shared L3 caches 206; one or more private L2 caches 208; and one ormore private L1 caches 210 in a processor 120. In this exampleimplementation, L4 cache 204 is part of system controller 106, whichprovides connectivity to the other drawers. Although an example memoryhierarchy is described herein, other examples are possible.

Further details regarding one example of CP cluster 104 are describedwith reference to FIG. 3. CP cluster 104 is shown, in one example, inthe form of a general-purpose computing device. CP cluster 104 mayinclude, but is not limited to, one or more processors or processingunits 304 (e.g., core 120), a memory 306 (referred to as main memory orstorage, as examples; e.g., memory 202), and one or more input/output(I/O) interfaces 308, coupled to one another via one or more busesand/or other connections 310.

Bus 310 represents one or more of any of several types of busstructures, including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheralbus, an accelerated graphics port, and a processor or local bus usingany of a variety of bus architectures. By way of example, and notlimitation, such architectures include the Industry StandardArchitecture (ISA), the Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), the EnhancedISA (EISA), the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) localbus, and the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI).

Memory 306 may include and/or be coupled to, for instance, a cache 320,such as a shared cache (e.g., L4 cache 204 and/or L3 cache 206), whichmay be coupled to local caches 322 (e.g., L2 cache 208 and/or L1 cache210) of processors 304. Each cache may include control logic 350 used inaccordance with an aspect of the present invention, as described below.Additionally, a processor may have a prefetch engine 360 used inprefetching data from memory into one or more selected caches.

Further, memory 306 may include one or more programs or applications330, an operating system 332, and one or more computer readable programinstructions 334. Computer readable program instructions 334 may beconfigured to carry out functions of embodiments of aspects of theinvention.

CP cluster 104 may also communicate via, e.g., I/O interfaces 308 withone or more external devices 340, one or more network interfaces 342,and/or one or more data storage devices 344. Example external devicesinclude a user terminal, a tape drive, a pointing device, a display,etc. Network interface 342 enables CP cluster 104 to communicate withone or more networks, such as a local area network (LAN), a general widearea network (WAN), and/or a public network (e.g., the Internet),providing communication with other computing devices or systems.

Data storage device 344 may store one or more programs 346, one or morecomputer readable program instructions 348, and/or data, etc. Thecomputer readable program instructions may be configured to carry outfunctions of embodiments of aspects of the invention.

CP cluster 104 may include and/or be coupled to removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer system storage media. For example, it mayinclude and/or be coupled to a non-removable, non-volatile magneticmedia (typically called a “hard drive”), a magnetic disk drive forreading from and writing to a removable, non-volatile magnetic disk(e.g., a “floppy disk”), and/or an optical disk drive for reading fromor writing to a removable, non-volatile optical disk, such as a CD-ROM,DVD-ROM or other optical media. It should be understood that otherhardware and/or software components could be used in conjunction with CPcluster 104. Examples, include, but are not limited to: microcode,device drivers, redundant processing units, external disk drive arrays,RAID systems, tape drives, and data archival storage systems, etc.

CP cluster 104 may be operational with numerous other general purpose orspecial purpose computing system environments or configurations.Examples of well-known computing systems, environments, and/orconfigurations that may be suitable for use with CP cluster 104 include,but are not limited to, personal computer (PC) systems, server computersystems, thin clients, thick clients, handheld or laptop devices,multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes,programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputer systems,mainframe computer systems, and distributed cloud computing environmentsthat include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.

One or more shared caches 320 (e.g., L4 cache 204 and/or L3 cache 206)and/or one or more local caches 322 (e.g., L2 cache 208 and/or L1 cache210) are part of a cache hierarchy that includes a complex system ofbuses interconnecting the processors, the chips, the CP clusters and oneor more memory controllers in a multi-node system. The cache hierarchyincludes control logic 350 which, in accordance with an aspect of thepresent invention, monitors bus utilization on each of those buses (orselected buses, in another example) and differentiates the utilizationdue to demand fetches versus prefetches. Such a utilization measurementcan be performed by counting transferred data bytes per milliseconds, ortransactions per milliseconds, etc., and comparing that number to themaximum bandwidth of the bus. Processors can issue prefetches based onvarious prefetch techniques. Prefetch requests are broadcast through thecache hierarchy. Depending on where the data is sourced from (e.g.,other chip's cache, memory controller, etc.), different buses are usedin that transfer. The cache hierarchy records the most-utilized (alsoreferred to as a max-utilized) bus employed in a particular prefetch,and returns an indication of this most-utilized bus to the processor,along with the prefetched data. For example, the most utilized busemployed in the transaction might have a 75% demand and 15% prefetchutilization (i.e., 10% idle bandwidth), and both numbers (e.g., 75% and15%) are returned to the requesting processor.

In one embodiment, the processor that creates a prefetch requestmonitors the bandwidth of, for instance, the most utilized bus over aseries of prefetches. (In another embodiment, the bandwidth of all thebuses along the path are monitored, or one or more selected buses aremonitored.) Based on the recent average max utilization encountered, theprefetching engine can change (e.g., reduce or increase) its rate ofprefetch. For example, in a prefetch engine with three aggressivenesslevels (low, middle, high), the following technique may be used: If thelast 10 prefetches on average encountered demand utilization below 20%and prefetch plus demand utilization below 50%, the rate of prefetchingis increased from low→middle or middle→high, depending on the currentrate of prefetching. If the last 10 prefetches on average encountereddemand utilization above 50%, or prefetch plus demand utilization above70%, the rate of prefetching is decreased from middle→low orhigh→middle, depending on the current rate of prefetching. Otherwise,the current rate of prefetching is maintained. Other examples alsoexist.

Further details regarding controlling a rate of prefetching (oraggressiveness) based on information relating to available busbandwidth, in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, aredescribed with reference to FIGS. 4-5. For instance, one example ofobtaining bus utilization information is described with reference toFIG. 4, and one example of using the information to control a rate ofprefetching is described with reference to FIG. 5

Referring initially to FIG. 4, based on a request received from aprocessor to retrieve data, the cache hierarchy monitors bus utilizationof one or more buses used for the request, STEP 400. For example, thecontrol logic within each cache or within selected caches measuresutilization of each bus used to retrieve the data by, for instance,counting transferred data bytes per milliseconds, or transactions permilliseconds, etc. and comparing that number to the maximum bandwidth ofthe bus. In one example, the cache hierarchy differentiates utilizationdue to demand fetches or prefetches to track the different utilization,STEP 402. This may be determined based on the fetch command, itself,that indicates if it is a demand request or a prefetch request.

Further, in one example, a determination is made of the most utilizedbus used in prefetching the requested data (or in another example, themost utilized bus used for prefetch and demand requests), STEP 406. Inone example, prefetch requests broadcast through the cache hierarchy,and depending from where the data is sourced, e.g., other chip's cache,memory controller, etc., different buses are used in that transfer. Forthose used buses, the cache hierarchy determines and records the mostutilized (also referred to as the max utilized) bus. An indication ofthe most utilized bus (e.g., a number, a name and/or other identifier)is returned to the processor requesting the data, along with theprefetched data, in one example, STEP 408. Additionally, otherinformation may be obtained and forwarded to the processor, such as anindication of demand and/or of prefetch utilization, STEP 410. Forexample, the most utilized bus employed in the transaction might have a75% demand and 15% prefetch utilization (i.e., 10% idle bandwidth), andboth numbers (e.g., 75% and 15%) are returned to the requestingprocessor. The processor obtains this data and processes it, asdescribed below with reference to FIG. 5.

Referring to FIG. 5, in one example, the requesting processor obtainsthe information regarding the available bus bandwidth, including, forinstance, the most utilized bus, prefetch utilization, etc., STEP 500.The processor monitors utilization (e.g., based on information returnedfrom the cache hierarchy) of the most-utilized bus over a series ofprefetches (e.g., 10; the number of prefetches to be monitored isselectable), STEP 502. Based on this monitoring, the processordetermines whether an action is to be taken, such as changing the rateof prefetching, INQUIRY 504. For instance, the processor determines, forthe most-utilized bus, the average max utilization over the selectednumber of prefetches, and determines whether a rate of prefetchingshould be changed. If it is determined that the rate of prefetching isnot to be changed, then the processor continues to monitor, STEP 502.However, if it is determined that a change to the rate of prefetching isto be performed, then processing continues to STEP 506, in which theprocessor indicates to the prefetching engine that a change in the rateof prefetching is to occur. As one example, in a prefetch engine withthree aggressiveness levels (low, middle, high), the following techniquemay be used: If the last 10 prefetches on average encountered demandutilization below 20% and prefetch plus demand utilization below 50%,the rate of prefetching is increased from low→middle or middle→high,depending on the current rate of prefetching. If the last 10 prefetcheson average encountered demand utilization above 50%, or prefetch plusdemand utilization above 70%, the rate of prefetch is decreased frommiddle→low or high→middle, depending on the current rate of prefetching.Otherwise, the current rate of prefetching is maintained. Other examplesare also possible.

In another example, the changing the rate of prefetching includesallowing prefetches to be sent from the processor into the cachehierarchy, and then, blocking requests in the cache hierarchy. Forinstance, requests may be blocked by the last level of private caches(e.g., L2) from being sent to a first level of shared caches (e.g., L3)to avoid bandwidth over usage, based on an aggressiveness level reportedby the processor with the prefetch request. As a further example,requests may be blocked from a first level of shared cache (e.g., L3) toa higher level of shared cache (e.g., L4). Other variations are alsopossible.

Described herein is a capability to control a rate of prefetching basedon bus utilization. By controlling the rate of prefetching, processingis facilitated and performance may be improved by controlling thebandwidth on buses used in the prefetching. By focusing on themost-utilized bus, processing is further facilitated by limiting themonitoring.

One or more aspects of the present invention are inextricably tied tocomputer technology and facilitate processing within a computer,improving performance thereof. Further details of one embodiment offacilitating processing within a computing environment, as it relates toone or more aspects of the present invention, are described withreference to FIGS. 6A-6B.

Referring to FIG. 6A, in one example, a determination is made as towhether a rate of prefetching of data from memory into a cache is to bechanged (600). This determining is based, for instance, on busutilization (602). Based on determining that the rate is to be changed,the rate of prefetching is changed (604). As examples, the changing therate of prefetching includes slowing the rate of prefetching (606) orincreasing the rate of prefetching (608). In another example, thechanging the rate of prefetching includes receiving a prefetch requestat a cache hierarchy having a plurality of levels of cache (610), andblocking the prefetch request from being sent to one or more levels ofcache of the plurality of levels of cache (612). In one example, theblocking includes blocking the prefetch request from being sent from aprivate level cache to a shared level cache of the plurality of levelsof cache (614).

Further, in one example, referring to FIG. 6B, the determining whether arate of prefetching of data from memory into a cache is to be changedincludes obtaining an indication of a selected bus used in theprefetching of data to be monitored (620), monitoring utilization of theselected bus (622), and determining whether the rate of prefetching isto be changed based on the monitoring (624). As an example, the selectedbus is a bus determined to be most utilized in the prefetch of data fora particular request (626). Further, in one example, the monitoring isperformed for a selected number of prefetch requests (628).

Moreover, in one embodiment, the monitoring includes obtaininginformation relating to utilization (630), and the information includes,for instance, an indication of bus utilization for prefetch requests(632) and/or an indication of bus utilization for demand requests (634).Other variations are also possible.

Many variations are possible without departing from a spirit of aspectsof the present invention. It should be noted that various aspects andfeatures are described herein, and unless otherwise inconsistent, eachaspect or feature may be combinable with any other aspect or feature.

Other types of computing environments may also incorporate and use oneor more aspects of the present invention, including, but not limited to,emulation environments, an example of which is described with referenceto FIG. 7A. In this example, a computing environment 20 includes, forinstance, a native central processing unit (CPU) 22, a memory 24, andone or more input/output devices and/or interfaces 26 coupled to oneanother via, for example, one or more buses 28 and/or other connections.As examples, computing environment 20 may include a PowerPC processor ora pSeries server offered by International Business Machines Corporation,Armonk, N.Y.; and/or other machines based on architectures offered byInternational Business Machines Corporation, Intel, or other companies.

Native central processing unit 22 includes one or more native registers30, such as one or more general purpose registers and/or one or morespecial purpose registers used during processing within the environment.These registers include information that represents the state of theenvironment at any particular point in time.

Moreover, native central processing unit 22 executes instructions andcode that are stored in memory 24. In one particular example, thecentral processing unit executes emulator code 32 stored in memory 24.This code enables the computing environment configured in onearchitecture to emulate another architecture. For instance, emulatorcode 32 allows machines based on architectures other than thez/Architecture, such as PowerPC processors, pSeries servers, or otherservers or processors, to emulate the z/Architecture and to executesoftware and instructions developed based on the z/Architecture.

Further details relating to emulator code 32 are described withreference to FIG. 7B. Guest instructions 40 stored in memory 24 comprisesoftware instructions (e.g., correlating to machine instructions) thatwere developed to be executed in an architecture other than that ofnative CPU 22. For example, guest instructions 40 may have been designedto execute on a z/Architecture processor, but instead, are beingemulated on native CPU 22, which may be, for example, an Intelprocessor. In one example, emulator code 32 includes an instructionfetching routine 42 to obtain one or more guest instructions 40 frommemory 24, and to optionally provide local buffering for theinstructions obtained. It also includes an instruction translationroutine 44 to determine the type of guest instruction that has beenobtained and to translate the guest instruction into one or morecorresponding native instructions 46. This translation includes, forinstance, identifying the function to be performed by the guestinstruction and choosing the native instruction(s) to perform thatfunction.

Further, emulator code 32 includes an emulation control routine 48 tocause the native instructions to be executed. Emulation control routine48 may cause native CPU 22 to execute a routine of native instructionsthat emulate one or more previously obtained guest instructions and, atthe conclusion of such execution, return control to the instructionfetch routine to emulate the obtaining of the next guest instruction ora group of guest instructions. Execution of native instructions 46 mayinclude loading data into a register from memory 24; storing data backto memory from a register; or performing some type of arithmetic orlogic operation, as determined by the translation routine.

Each routine is, for instance, implemented in software, which is storedin memory and executed by native central processing unit 22. In otherexamples, one or more of the routines or operations are implemented infirmware, hardware, software or some combination thereof. The registersof the emulated processor may be emulated using registers 30 of thenative CPU or by using locations in memory 24. In embodiments, guestinstructions 40, native instructions 46 and emulator code 32 may residein the same memory or may be disbursed among different memory devices.

As used herein, firmware includes, e.g., the microcode or Millicode ofthe processor. It includes, for instance, the hardware-levelinstructions and/or data structures used in implementation of higherlevel machine code. In one embodiment, it includes, for instance,proprietary code that is typically delivered as microcode that includestrusted software or microcode specific to the underlying hardware andcontrols operating system access to the system hardware.

A guest instruction 40 that is obtained, translated and executed may be,for instance, one of the instructions described herein. The instruction,which is of one architecture (e.g., the z/Architecture), is fetched frommemory, translated and represented as a sequence of native instructions46 of another architecture (e.g., PowerPC, pSeries, Intel, etc.). Thesenative instructions are then executed.

One or more aspects may relate to cloud computing.

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based email). Theconsumer does not manage or control the underlying cloud infrastructureincluding network, servers, operating systems, storage, or evenindividual application capabilities, with the possible exception oflimited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forloadbalancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 10 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 10 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 8 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes10 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 9, a set of functional abstraction layers providedby cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 8) is shown. It should beunderstood in advance that the components, layers, and functions shownin FIG. 9 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments of theinvention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layers andcorresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and prefetching aggressiveness controlprocessing 96.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

In addition to the above, one or more aspects may be provided, offered,deployed, managed, serviced, etc. by a service provider who offersmanagement of customer environments. For instance, the service providercan create, maintain, support, etc. computer code and/or a computerinfrastructure that performs one or more aspects for one or morecustomers. In return, the service provider may receive payment from thecustomer under a subscription and/or fee agreement, as examples.Additionally or alternatively, the service provider may receive paymentfrom the sale of advertising content to one or more third parties.

In one aspect, an application may be deployed for performing one or moreembodiments. As one example, the deploying of an application comprisesproviding computer infrastructure operable to perform one or moreembodiments.

As a further aspect, a computing infrastructure may be deployedcomprising integrating computer readable code into a computing system,in which the code in combination with the computing system is capable ofperforming one or more embodiments.

As yet a further aspect, a process for integrating computinginfrastructure comprising integrating computer readable code into acomputer system may be provided. The computer system comprises acomputer readable medium, in which the computer medium comprises one ormore embodiments. The code in combination with the computer system iscapable of performing one or more embodiments.

Although various embodiments are described above, these are onlyexamples. For example, computing environments of other architectures canbe used to incorporate and use one or more embodiments. Further,different memory and/or cache hierarchies may be used. Many variationsare possible.

Further, other types of computing environments can benefit and be used.As an example, a data processing system suitable for storing and/orexecuting program code is usable that includes at least two processorscoupled directly or indirectly to memory elements through a system bus.The memory elements include, for instance, local memory employed duringactual execution of the program code, bulk storage, and cache memorywhich provide temporary storage of at least some program code in orderto reduce the number of times code must be retrieved from bulk storageduring execution.

Input/Output or I/O devices (including, but not limited to, keyboards,displays, pointing devices, DASD, tape, CDs, DVDs, thumb drives andother memory media, etc.) can be coupled to the system either directlyor through intervening I/O controllers. Network adapters may also becoupled to the system to enable the data processing system to becomecoupled to other data processing systems or remote printers or storagedevices through intervening private or public networks. Modems, cablemodems, and Ethernet cards are just a few of the available types ofnetwork adapters.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, thesingular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the pluralforms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It willbe further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising”,when used in this specification, specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or step plus function elements in the claims below, if any, areintended to include any structure, material, or act for performing thefunction in combination with other claimed elements as specificallyclaimed. The description of one or more embodiments has been presentedfor purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain variousaspects and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand various embodiments with variousmodifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

1. A computer program product for facilitating processing within acomputing environment, said computer program product comprising: acomputer readable storage medium readable by a processing circuit andstoring instructions for performing a method comprising: determiningwhether a rate of prefetching of data from memory into a cache is to bechanged, wherein the determining is based on bus utilization; andchanging the rate of prefetching, based on determining that the rate isto be changed.
 2. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein thechanging the rate of prefetching comprises slowing the rate ofprefetching.
 3. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein thechanging the rate comprises increasing the rate of prefetching.
 4. Thecomputer program product of claim 1, wherein the changing the rate ofprefetching comprises: receiving a prefetch request at a cache hierarchyhaving a plurality of levels of cache; and blocking the prefetch requestfrom being sent to one or more levels of cache of the plurality oflevels of cache.
 5. The computer program product of claim 4, wherein theblocking the prefetch request comprises blocking the prefetch requestfrom being sent from a private level cache to a shared level cache ofthe plurality of levels of cache.
 6. The computer program product ofclaim 1, wherein the determining whether the rate of prefetching is tobe changed comprises: obtaining an indication of a selected bus used inthe prefetching of data to be monitored; monitoring utilization of theselected bus; and determining whether the rate of prefetching is to bechanged based on the monitoring.
 7. The computer program product ofclaim 6, wherein the selected bus is a bus determined to be mostutilized in the prefetch of data for a particular request.
 8. Thecomputer program product of claim 6, wherein the monitoring is performedfor a selected number of prefetch requests.
 9. The computer programproduct of claim 6, wherein the monitoring comprises obtaininginformation relating to utilization, the information comprising anindication of bus utilization for prefetch requests.
 10. The computerprogram product of claim 9, wherein the information comprises anindication of bus utilization for demand requests.
 11. A computer systemfor facilitating processing within a computing environment, saidcomputer system comprising: a memory; and a processor in communicationwith the memory, wherein the computer system is configured to perform amethod, said method comprising: determining whether a rate ofprefetching of data from memory into a cache is to be changed, whereinthe determining is based on bus utilization; and changing the rate ofprefetching, based on determining that the rate is to be changed. 12.The computer system of claim 11, wherein the changing the rate ofprefetching comprises: receiving a prefetch request at a cache hierarchyhaving a plurality of levels of cache; and blocking the prefetch requestfrom being sent to one or more levels of cache of the plurality oflevels of cache.
 13. The computer system of claim 12, wherein theblocking the prefetch request comprises blocking the prefetch requestfrom being sent from a private level cache to a shared level cache ofthe plurality of levels of cache.
 14. The computer system of claim 11,wherein the determining whether the rate of prefetching is to be changedcomprises: obtaining an indication of a selected bus used in theprefetching of data to be monitored; monitoring utilization of theselected bus; and determining whether the rate of prefetching is to bechanged based on the monitoring.
 15. The computer system of claim 14,wherein the selected bus is a bus determined to be most utilized in theprefetch of data for a particular request. 16-20. (canceled)